Isaac hall



(No Model.)

I. HALL.

VIOLIN.

No. 322,925. I Patented July 28 1885..

N. PETERS, Phamumo n hm Wnhington, o. c.

lJNiTED STATES PATENT ()FFICE.

ISAAC HALL, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

VIOLIN.

EBPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 322,925, dated July28, 1885.

, Application filed November 14, 1884.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, ISAAC HALL, of Brooklyn Kings county, in the Stateof New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in theconstruction of Violins and Analogous Musical Instruments, of which thefollowing is a specification.

The invention pertains to the means of bracing the body of theinstrument. The tension of the strings tends to depress the front at thepoints where the bridge is supported. It is common to strengthen thefront under the base side of the bridge by a strip of wood extendinglongitudinally for a considerable distance along in the vicinity of thebridge, and firmly joined to the thin front by glue. I do the same. Ithas long been common to introduce under the treble side of the bridge apost extending backward through the hollow interior from the front tothe back of the body. My improvements relate to such post and theimmediately connected parts. It is found that by shifting the positionof the ordinary post appreciable effects can be produced on the qualityof the tone. It is common for performers to reach in through the commonf-slots in the front of a violin, and take hold of the post with asuitable instrument, and take it out and substituteanother, or to changethe position of the post. Sometimes the post is shortened and returned.I construct the post with an elastic front end which allows the post tobe inserted and removed an indefinite number of times withoutpossibility of damaging the front of the instrument. I also provide foradjusting the tension of the post with any degree of delicacy desiredafter its introduction. In replacing the post it is common to rest oneend of the post against the interior of the back and to bring it up intothe required position under the bridge. This movement is liable toabrade or cut the thin wood of the violin front.

The following isadescription of what I con sider the best means ofcarrying out the invention.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section on the line y y in Fig. 2,looking inthe direction indicated by the arrow. Fig. 2 is a cross-section on theN0 model.)

line at x,looking in the direction shown by the arrow. The remainingfigures are on a larger scale. Fig. 3 is a partial section and elevationof a portion. Fig. 4 is an elevation showing a modification. Fig. 5 is aplan view of a portion of the back of the instrument.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all thefigures.

It will be understood that the drawings represent the novel parts withso much of the ordinary parts as is necessary to indicate their relationthereto.

A is the back, and B the front, of a violinbody. A is a longitudinal ribadapted to match closely against the interior of the back A, and securedby glue. B is the ordinary rib lying longitudinally under the bass sideof the bridge. 0 is the bridge, and D the strings. E is a screw having ahollowed front or upper end adapted to receive the pointed end of apost, M, of pine or other suitable wood. The screw is tapped through abushing, H,of maple or other suitable substance, which latter stands ina corresponding hole formed in the back A and back-rib A. It is securedtherein both by screw-threads and glue. The front end of the post M isformed with a tenon, which engages in acushion of well-hammered orotherwise compacted leather, on. These parts M m are secured together byglue.

My post M m may be introduced and removed through the f-slots by thesame appliances and same mode of operation as ordinary posts areintroduced and removed. The hollow end of the screw E is seen throughthe f-slot, and is easily caused to receive the pointed end ofthe post.The post is brought forcibly up into the position occupied by theordinary post, with the advantage that the leather-tipped end of thepost yields sufficiently to adapt its bearing to the inner face of thefront B without danger of abraiding the latter. I have carefully notedthe effect of the leather on the sound, and believe that it has no evilinfluence. The tone, contrary to what might be expected, is as good aswhen the post is one continuous stick. My observations lead to thebelief that it is a little better. After the post is in place itstension may be adjusted within considerable limits by turning the screwE. The hard -wood bushing II allows an indefinite amount of adjustmentof the screw without appreciable wear. I turn the screw Withoutrequiring any projection of the screw on the exterior of the back of theinstrument. I operate by a key having a square socket engaging in acorresponding square recess formed in the back of the screw. I furtherstiffen the back at points which I find most require it. A is alongitudinal rib glued to the back in the position represented. Itshould in ordinary cases lie about under the bass end of the bridge 0. Acrossrib, A extends between the ribs A and A W'ith this bracing theother portions of the back may be made thinner than would be otherwisepracticable, with an appreciable improvement in the resonant qualitiesof the instrument.

My ribs A A A as arranged, receive the vibrations due to the soundproduced by the strings as transmitted through the post M, anddistributeit efiectively to the thin back A. My violin is stronger thanthe ordinary c011- struction, and by r'e-enforcing the strength at thepoints indicated, give a better tone.

The improvement may apply to violins, violas, violoncellos, bass viols,and doublebass viols.

I attach importance to the fact that the cash ion on is permanentlyfixed to the post M, so that both may serve as one, and be applied andremoved together.

Modifications may be made in the forms and proportions.

I can make the post M and the screw E in a single piece. In such casethe screw E and the hole therefor should be a little larger than thepost, so that the post, with its attached screw,can be inserted directlyfrom the back.

Parts of the invention may be used without the whole. I can attain agood effect without the rib A or cross-rib A, or even without the rib A.I can dispense with the bushing H; but the thin material of the back isin such case liable to fail by wearing when the screw is operated manytimes. I can dispense with the leather on on the front end of the postM. I prefer the whole used together, as shown.

There is an advantage in the pointed back end of the post, enabling itto hold in apropcr shallow recess, whether the recess is formed in thescrew or in a fixed shoe, or even is simply an indentation in anordinary back.

I propose in some cases to omit the longitudinal bar A and extend thetransverse bar A a little farther, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2.

I claim as my invention 1. The post M, having an elastic end orcushion,m,glued or otherwise permanently secured on its front, incombination with a violin, and arranged to serve therein substantiallyas herein specified.

2. The post M, having a tapering or pointed back end, in combinationwith a violinhaving a recess adapted to receive such pointed post,arranged for joint operation substantially as herein specified.

3. The combination, with a violin or analogous musical instrument, ofthe post M and adjustingscrew E, having a hollowed front end to receivesaid post, arranged to serve as and for the purposes herein specified.

4. The post M, screw 1*], and bushing II, in combination with the backA, longitudinal strengthening-ribs A A and cross-ribs A, front B, bridge0, and springs D, arranged for joint operation substantially as hereinspecified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand,:at New York city, this11th day of November, 1884., in prescn cc of two sub scribing witnesses.

ISAAC HALL.

\Vitnesses:

H. A. JonNs'roNn, CHARLES R. SEARLE.

